Monthly Archives: September 2013

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So the latest phenomenon in self portraits, if you will, is the selfie. Did you see Geraldo Rivera’s selfie? It was a topless version. Um, no comment. I don’t know how old he is (he is 70….I googled it) but there is a certain age and place when it is appropriate to keep your shirt on. He has passed that age. Just saying. He might have considered some swim trunks in lieu of the bath towel but to each his own, right? Most selfies seem to be of the puckered lips in the bathroom genre. Both very strange to me. Who are you air kissing? And why choose the bathroom for this activity? Are you brushing your teeth and thinking, ‘Today would be a good day for a quick photo uploaded to my Facebook or Twitter account?” You rinse your mouth, pucker, flash and upload? Is that how it works? No thought or time given to each step in the process or whether the final product is flattering or not? It’s just out there. Is that what’s important?

AOL has jumped on the selfie bandwagon and is now offering Selfie Serenity Saturdays where you can post a photo of yourself relaxing after a long, hard work week. They are actually quite fun to look through and see all the leisure activities people are participating in. I particularly like the pets and babies selfies although I highly doubt either one are actually taking their own photos, right? But who doesn’t love a cute dog or baby? On the same page was the mantra: ‘It’s a good day to have a good day’. I guess whether you are taking the selfie or not, that is a good message. My advice though is to wait about 30 seconds before you post and maybe get a second opinion before posting. I highly recommend a preteen. They are always brutally honest and sadly, they are usually correct!! Until next time……..proceed with caution….

So I am having one of those days when everyone is getting on my nerves. Too many ridiculous requests. Bogus invites. Unsolicited smart remarks. I am feeling like no one is taking my feelings or my schedule into consideration. You get the idea. We all have these days or weeks even.

Then I tell someone close to me a couple of the interactions that have my back up like the fine feline I am (p.s. Leos rock!). She asks, “Aren’t you being sensitive?” DJ: stop the music…. How is someone being sensitive when someone else is being offensive? I love that. Someone insults you and you are the one overreacting. Anyway, I figure I must blow this all off and carry on. Keep calm and what should I do? I think I need a coffee.

So I am swinging through Dunkin Donuts drive thru for a coffee. Does anyone go in the store anymore? I am in the middle of my short order when the person on the other end of the speaker interrupts me and asks, “Can you speak up?” In a harsh voice. I sat there staring at the metal squawk box thinking, who knew a philosophical question could be asked in a drive thru window? Cream? Sugar? Can you speak up? Can I? I don’t know. I thought about it all day. It was like a message from above commanding me to ask myself can you speak up? Some days you drive through a fast food window and get a refreshing beverage and other days, you get so much more. Until next time…..enjoy the brain freeze….

So I ran out of gas on a busy street this week (Rte 18 in Weymouth for those of you who know the area). Weymouth is the town I grew up in. My car stalled with my two kids in the backseat. I was blocking one lane of traffic and my hazards were not quite visible because of the solar glare. It was a fairly dangerous situation so I got my kids out on the inside door while my car was shaking as each new vehicle sped by. The 18 wheelers were particularly loud and scary. The power of the traffic was kicking up road dust. My son with his 5 year old enthusiasm squealed, “This is cool!” I am thinking, ‘Oh, yeah, this is really cool.’ In my defense, my gas gauge hasn’t worked for about a year. I have been pretty successful guessing when I need gas (up until this point, of course!)

I have AAA but my first thought was to call my Dad. I have Dad on speed dial. We talk or see each other every day but in a crunch I could call my Dad, Mom or sister for anything at any hour and that is one of the best feelings in the world. But when it comes to car issues, Dad is my ‘go to’ guy. My father is one of those ‘old school’ guys. He is patient, logical and super easy to deal with. He was a U.S. Marine who fought in Korea and he was a dutiful soldier. It translated into dutiful husband and father and he has not shirked those responsibilities for one day of his life. He wouldn’t even think of it.

Within what seemed like no time at all, he was pulling up behind me. He must have put down his turkey sandwich and picked up his keys. He was wearing a pressed shirt with a notepad and pen in his shirt pocket as he does every day. He got out, had a gas can in hand and was loading the tank on the traffic side. He sent me on my way to the gas station. He followed me there with my kids in his car in case it wasn’t actually a gas situation. I hadn’t even thought of that! Always prepared, always faithful. Semper Fi. That is just how my father lives. It is an honor to be his daughter and learn by his example.